Juneessa Pressley and Sameera Thompson, two 2018 graduates of DSU's Integrated Studies Program, show how the major can offer some unique possibilities. — *In this photo:* Juneessa Pressley and Sameera Thompson, two 2018 graduates of DSU’s Integrated Studies Program, show how the major can offer some unique possibilities.

On Campus

Two Integrated Studies Grads show major’s unique possibilities

Thursday, May 10, 2018

Junessa Preessley has completed her UD and DSU undergraduate experiences with music and chemistry pursuits. Two Delaware State University seniors who are among the largest-ever graduating class of Integrated Studies majors are uniquely showing the possibilities of the program.

Junessa Pressley and Sameera Thompson will be among 22 graduating Integrated Studies majors to receive their diplomas at the May 12 Commencement Ceremony – the largest graduating group since the major was established at Del State in 2012.

The DSU Integrated Studies Program has made it possible for Juneessa Pressley to accomplish what appears to be a historic student first – to be the first student graduating with different degrees in the same semester from DSU (Bachelor of Arts in Integrated Studies, with focuses in chemistry and music) and the University of Delaware (Bachelor of Music in Applied Instrument/Piano).

Ms. Pressley’s college journey began when she was at Caesar Rodney High School, during which time she took a biology course at DSU. After her 2014 high school graduation, she enrolled full-time at UD originally as a music composition major, but later switched to Applied Instrument.

However, her mother Diane Pressley felt a degree in music was not enough. “My mom did not want me to be limited in my career option choices,” Ms. Pressley said. “So DSU was plan B.”

She took science classes at DSU during the summer sessions, and eventually matriculated at Del State while at the same time continuing toward her music degree at UD. To graduate from both institutions without adding more time to her undergraduate years, she needed a degree program she could complete by May 2018. DSU’s Integrated Studies degree program was the ticket.

While completing her degrees at both universities, Ms. Pressley also took an Intro to Computers course at Delaware Technical Community College – bringing the total of undergraduate institutions she attended to three. “Schools are always talking about producing well-rounded students,” she said. “Well, I am actually a well-rounded student.”

After achieving two different degrees at UD and DSU, Ms. Pressley could be excused for taking a break from her academic journey. But she is seeking no such forgiveness, as she is returning to DSU to enroll in the Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience master’s degree program. “I’m enrolling in that program to do biomedical research,” she said.

Ms. Pressley said she plans to continue developing her musicianship during her graduate school journey by working with Dr. Mable Morrison and Dr. David Tolley, both associate professors in the Department of Music.

Sameera N. Thompson, of Wilmington, struggled with a couple of courses as a pre-nursing major, which prevented her from being accepted into DSU’s Nursing Program. However, she has used her achievement of an Integrated Studies degree to return to her original aspiration – nursing.

Ms. Thompson, a 2009 graduate of Howard High School, focused her Integrated Studies degree on biological sciences and nursing courses. Meanwhile, she began working as a nursing assistant and unit clerk at A.I. duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington. Sameera Thompson, shown at A.I.duPont Hospital for Children, is moving on to pursue nursing at Wesley College.

“The people at A.I. duPont have been encouraging me to continue in nursing,” Ms. Thompson said. “I have been there for three years, and I have gotten a lot of good recommendations from them.”

Apparently A.I. duPont’s recommendations impressed Wesley College in Dover, where she has already passed the nursing entrance exam. Wesley is not only accepting Ms. Thompson into its Nursing Program, but also is awarding her a scholarship that will total $8,000 per each year she attends.

“I might have to go for three years to get my clinical in, but a lot of the classes I took at DSU can be transferred to the Wesley Nursing Program,” she said.

Ms. Thompson, who was born and raised in Wilmington, is the daughter of Sharmeka Thompson and David Pennewell, and the stepdaughter of Arthur Baker. During her academic journey at DSU, Ms. Thompson’s academic excellence landed her on the Dean’s List during a number of semesters.

Dr. Phyllis Brooks Collins, program director of the DSU Integrated Studies Program said that Junessa and Sameera are two great examples of the possibilities the versatile degree program can offer.

“When the major first started six years ago, we never imagined the potential impact it would have on the number of students graduating and completing their undergraduate degrees,” Dr. Collins said. “This year’s class is especially noteworthy as this will be the largest graduating class which speaks to DSU’s ongoing commitment to student success and achievement.”

In addition to the 22 seniors in May 2018, four seniors graduated with Integrated Studies degrees in December 2017, making the largest group for that major in a second year.